Thousands hospitalized due to severe sandstorm in Iraq
This week, Iraq experienced its most severe sandstorm of 2025, resulting in an orange haze that significantly reduced visibility and caused travel disruptions, including halted flights at two major airports. Thousands sought medical attention for respiratory issues, as the massive dust cloud, originating from Saudi Arabia, swept into the country, also affecting Kuwait with wind gusts over 50mph. While dust storms are common in the region, the climate crisis is expected to exacerbate these events due to increasing desertification in Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Loading PerspectiveSplit analysis...
